Located in the northeast of the autonomous community of Andalusia, straddling the Sierra Morena and the Betic Cordilleras, the province of Jaén has all the assets to seduce travelers with varied profiles. Nature lovers will discover landscapes of hills, gentle plains and steep sierra with incredible Mediterranean vegetation. Two thirds of the territory is occupied by olive groves, making it a true paradise for olive tourism in southern Spain. From its long and tumultuous history, the province of Jaén has preserved a valuable legacy of Iberian, Roman and Muslim cultures. Its heritage rivals the beauty of its natural parks, and the castles, cathedrals and other palaces do not fail to attract all eyes. Of course, discovering the province of Jaén also means strolling through its emblematic towns and villages, two of which are classified as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. This is an opportunity to marvel at the beauty of the streets and buildings, to stop and try the local gastronomy and to watch the cultural program. There is no shortage of events and traditional festivals in Andalusia.
The province of Jaén in nature
Travelers who like to hike or bike have a lot to see in the varied landscapes of the province of Jaén. The first trips are to the natural parks of the territory, starting with the Sierra de Andújar. Here we can observe magnificent reliefs covered by forests of cork and holm oaks. The space, crossed by rivers and punctuated here and there by reservoirs, is the place of residence of animal species such as the deer, the Iberian lynx and a multitude of birds
The most important nature destination in the province of Jaen is the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas Natural Park. This protected area, the most important of the Iberian Peninsula and also a Unesco Biosphere Reserve, fascinates with its mountainous landscapes, the marvelous waterfalls of Cazorla, its lush valleys and deep canyons. You can see the smallest narcissus in the world, and, on the fauna side, deer, wild boars, ibex, mouflons and birds. We take advantage of being in the area to plan a kayak trip on the blue waters of the El Tranco reservoir, surrounded by sublime places like the Yelmo peak. It is also in the south of this natural park that the Guadalquivir River has its source. The latter has tributaries such as the river Borosa. A pedestrian route, the Ruta del Río Borosa, allows you to follow the translucent waters of the river, encountering waterfalls and crossing wooden bridges. The charm is immediate.
For hikers with a thirst for wide open spaces, the province of Jaén also offers the opportunity to observe birds of prey and ibexes in the heart of the mountainous landscapes of the Sierra Mágina Natural Park; to admire cave paintings in the caves of the Despeñaperros Natural Park; to take out the camera in front of the breathtaking landscape formed by the Cimbarra waterfall, carved in a particularly steep relief, but also to go stargazing in the clear sky that dominates the Sierra Morena, the reserve and the largest Starlight tourist destination in the world.
For those who don't know, Jaén is the world's leading producer of olive oil. A stay in the territory is therefore a great opportunity to enjoy the joys of olive tourism. This includes, of course, walks through some of the most beautiful olive groves in the world, but also the experiences that come with learning about the oil production process, tastings, visits to museums and mills, and nights in lodgings close to the olive trees.
Jaén, towns, villages and an exceptional heritage
Here is a second facet of the province of Jaén, a land where history has left precious traces of the passage of various civilizations. A visit to the province includes the two beautiful cities of Úbeda and Baeza, both of which have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. The first one is an incredible Renaissance complex, with beautiful palaces like those of Las Cadenas and Deán Ortega, in the Plaza de Vázquez de Molina. Architectural splendors of the same styles can be found in Baeza. Among the most notable monuments are the houses and palaces of the Plaza de Cándido Elorzas, the old Seminario de San Felipe Neri or the splendid cathedral, with Renaissance, Gothic, Moorish and Mudejar elements. A visit to the Plaza de Los Leones is also a must, to photograph the Fountain of the Lions and the Arch of Villalar, among others.
A trip to Jaén, the regional capital, is another must. You can stroll through the beautiful streets before visiting the Arab baths and its impressive cathedral, which served as a model for the construction of many buildings in the new world, in Latin America. The Santa Catalina Castle is the other emblematic monument of the city. It is one of the most impressive fortresses in the region, offering beautiful views of the city and the surrounding hills. It is one of the elements to discover along the Route of Castles and Battles, which leads to other splendors such as the Fortaleza de la Mota in Alcalá la Real or the castle of Burgalimar. The province of Jaén, which for a long time was the border between the Muslim and Christian kingdoms, has indeed experienced battles that required the construction of a network of fortresses unique in Europe. The Museum of the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa, in the Despeñaperros Natural Park, is a must-see place to better understand the course and outcome of one of the most important battles in the territory.
In addition to the above-mentioned towns, there are also towns such as Cazorla, with white houses and surrounded by olive trees; Linares, located near the ancient Iberian town of Cástulo; Alcaudete and its castle, which is one of the best preserved of the Order of Calatrava in Spain; Hornos de Segura and Segura de la Sierra, perched on their rocks in the natural park of the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas, or Baños de la Encina, with its picturesque old town and one of the oldest fortresses in the country, are sure to please.
Gastronomy and culture
As in other regions of Spain, the province of Jaén is a superb stopover for gourmets. The excellent local olive oil enhances the dishes, whether they are based on meat, fish or vegetables. One does not miss a moment over tapas in Jaén, or a pipirrana, a salad of ripe tomatoes with olive oil, green peppers, hard-boiled egg and tuna.
It is also necessary to get informed in order to take part in the events that animate the territory throughout the year. They celebrate culture in its greatest diversity, but also gastronomy and traditions. The festivities that celebrate the Virgin Mary, such as the Romería de Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza in Andújar in April, or the Romería de la Yedra in Baeza, in September, are an opportunity to immerse oneself in the local customs and to see the people parade in their best traditional Andalusian costumes.
The province of Jaén is an accessible place, with a flight time of only 2 hours and 20 minutes from Paris to the Federico-García-Lorca airport in Granada-Jaén.
More information on the websites of the tourist offices of the province of Jaén and the autonomous community of Andalusia
